4K is now called Ultra HD

4K TVs are coming but you will call them Ultra HD TVs – says the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). CEA also implements a new requirement for Ultra HD TVs. At least one input connector capable of receiving native Ultra HD inputs must be implemented.

4K is now called Ultra HD

ITU already calls 4K and 8K Ultra HD and the US-based CEA now follow their lead and names 4K Ultra HD.

LG has exhibited this 4K – now Ultra HD – TV at recent trade shows

In the future you should expect to see 4K TVs (3840x2160 pixels) going under the name Ultra HD, which follows the path from our current Full HD (1920x1080) naming standard.

CEA also requires TV manufacturers to implement at least one input connector capable of receiving native Ultra HD inputs without upscaling. That is a very reasonable requirement, we agree, as it reminds us of the early Full HD days where Full HD TVs were sold without the capability to actually reproduce Full HD without upconversion.

CEA also requires TVs to have at least 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels to use the Ultra HD label. No words on what 8K will be called by the CEA but 8K is still many years away so we are not too concerned about this. No official Ultra HD logo exists yet.

We expect to see the first Ultra HD-labeled TVs at CES 2013 in Las Vegas.